Daily Jolt, June 11: Colin Kaepernick's deal scares Cam Newton
Wednesday, June 11
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Kaepernick's deal scares Cam Newton
Though it was signed about a week ago, Colin Kaepernick's unusual deal continues to make headlines across the NFL landscape. That includes the Cam Newton camp. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday on NFL Total Access that Kaepernick's contract -- a pact that includes just $13 million in guaranteed money -- "really scares people who know Cam Newton very well." The structure of Kaepernick's deal essentially allows the Niners to evaluate the quarterback on a year-to-year basis. There is a fear in Newton's circle that Kaepernick's deal is a sign of things to come in how teams do business with franchise quarterbacks. According to Rapoport, guaranteed money is what counts for Newton, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers. (NFL.com)Comment
The hole is deep, and it's wearing on New York. Gumpy and sullen? For sure. Beaten? Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final will reveal that. The New York Rangers practiced Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, but their activity couldn't hide the fact that they trail the Kings, 3-0, with elimination staring at them Wednesday night. "There wasn't much sleep in this room last night probably," center Brad Richards said. ... Coach Alain Vigneault was asked about not appearing to be his usual bright self. "We're down 3-0," Vigneault said. "We're all lacking sleep. This is tough. I didn't expect my players today to be cheery and upbeat. We're in the Stanley Cup Final and we're down 3-0. You don't get a lot of these opportunities, so excuse us if we're not real cheery. But tomorrow, I can tell you we're going to show up." (Los Angeles Times)Comment
What if Thibodeau wants out of Chicago?
In the form of Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher, tens of millions of dollars have been lavished upon a pair of former players without head coaching experience. Maybe none of this matters for the Bulls. But I think it does. ... Regardless of team talent, [Tom Thibodeau] is a wanted coach. Though he has never won a championship as a head coach, he is so respected that he has been selected as an assistant for coach Mike Krzyzewski's U.S. men's national team. ... Back in April 2013, Thibodeau signed a four-year, $17.5 million contract extension with the Bulls, taking him through 2016-17. That, you might think, would be the end of it. Probably is. But coaches can get fidgety, can become burdens to their parent team, can have lawyers work out ways to buy out contracts, move on, etc (Chicago Sun-Times)Comment
Must-See Photo
Mississippi catcher Will Allen celebrates after tagging out Louisiana Lafayette's Caleb Adams (left) at the plate. The Rebels won 10-4 to reach the College World Series. (Thomas Graning/The Daily Mississippian/AP)
Must-See Video
Kawhi Leonard's 29-point performance in Game 3 of the NBA Finals gave a glimpse of the Spurs' promising future and put San Antonio up two games to one on the Heat.
Game To Watch
Stanley Cup Final, Game 4, Kings at Rangers, 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN
- Los Angeles Kings
- New York Rangers
SI Vault: Michael Jordan's fifth NBA title
This Day in Sports
- 1913 -- Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi is born in Brooklyn, N.Y.
- 1950 -- Sixteen months after a car accident nearly ended his career, Ben Hogan wins an 18-hole playoff over George Fazio and Lloyd Mangrum to claim the U.S. Open.
- 1977 -- Seattle Slew becomes the 10th Triple Crown winner with his four-lengths victory at the Belmont Stakes.
- 1997 -- Michael Jordan plays his famous "Flu Game," overcoming a stomach virus to score 38 points and lead the Chicago Bulls to a 90-88 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
